Metal fabrication is a critical part of the manufacturing process. From paperclips to plane parts, it’s used to create a wide variety of products. Metal fabrication is an essential step in creating everything from hardware and tools to car parts and pipes. So what exactly is metal fabrication? Metal fabrication is a manufacturing process used to shape metal into parts or end products.
Most metal fabrication uses sheet metal, which can be up to 0.25 inches thick. Fabricators convert this sheet metal into products or tools. Some of the industries that use metal fabrication include:
Aerospace
Agricultural industries
Alternative energy
Automotive
Construction
Consumer products
Military and defense
Original equipment manufacturers
Recreational vehicles
Metal fabrication plays a large role in creating parts for mass consumption. The mass production of products like screws, cans, cutlery, pipes and pans all fall into this category. These products tend to have consistent requirements and a wider tolerance for error. This means that the parts can differ in small ways from the original design but still function as expected.
On the other hand, metal fabrication can also create large runs of customized fabricated metal parts. These projects usually include the design and fabrication of customized metal parts to fit a business’ needs. Customized valves, car parts and hardware are all examples of this type of project. Some examples of products made with metal fabrication include:
Cans
Cutlery
Car parts
Bolts, nuts, and screws
Equipment attachments
Hand tools
Metal windows and doors
Pipes and pipe fittings